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5h ago

DOT Launches 'Golden Age of Travel' Civility Campaign Ahead of Holiday Rush

The PSA leans on FAA data showing unruly incidents remain elevated since 2019, opting for etiquette appeals over new enforcement.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks alongside Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI), Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN), and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) during a press conference on air traffic controller pay and the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The shutdown enters its fourth week, becoming the second longest government shutdown in history.
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Overview

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a "Golden Age of Travel Starts with You" video that contrasts nostalgic calm with recent fights and disruptions on planes.
  • Officials cite a more than 400% increase in in‑flight outbursts since 2019 and about 13,800 unruly passenger reports since 2021, with one in five flight attendants reporting physical incidents in 2021.
  • The message urges travelers to help with overhead bags, keep children under control, thank crews, and "dress with respect."
  • FAA data show incidents peaked at 5,973 in 2021 during the mask‑mandate period, then fell but remained above 2019 levels, which analysts link to changing traveler mix and reporting practices.
  • Reaction is mixed, with praise for courtesy reminders and criticism that real fixes require stronger enforcement and attention to airline crowding, alcohol, and holiday pressure as AAA projects 81.8 million Thanksgiving travelers.